“The distinguished British conductor Sir Edward Downes and his wife Lady Joan have ended their lives at the Dignitas clinic in Zurich, their children revealed today. The 85-year-old maestro had become virtually blind and had lost some of his hearing, while his 74-year-old wife had been suffering from cancer, according to a statement released by their son and daughter, Caractacus and Boudicca.”
Tag: 07.14.09
Zaha Hadid’s Ideal Space For Listening To Bach
“Sitting in the enclosure was like hearing music from inside a supersize conical seashell. Between the gaps in the ribbon you could see the black gallery walls, so the effect was to create a sort of safe listening enclave within a much larger room. … All I know is that the space was a delight to be in and that the music sounded up-close and exceptionally vibrant.”
British Museum Has Most Funding For New $220M Wing
“The British Museum said it has raised two-thirds of the 135 million pounds ($220 million) needed to build a new wing, and, planning permission allowing, may start construction at the end of this year. … ‘We are shovel-ready to proceed in the autumn, but prudence also plays a part in this,’ said Chairman Niall FitzGerald, indicating that the project’s start required assurances that the final 45 million pounds would come through.”
Not All Is Beautiful, And Little Is Green, At Lincoln Center
The groves of mature London Plane trees that offered shade near the reflecting pool were sacrificed long ago to “the vast construction site that is Lincoln Center…. Now the 30 young trees in what is called the ‘Barclays Capital Grove’ are bordered by a hideous concrete bench that has all the aesthetic appeal of an off-ramp on I-95.” Does a similar fate await Damrosch Park?